Pharmacology Master Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering pharmacology concepts, including drug classes, mechanisms of action, side effects, contraindications, nursing considerations, and patient education.

CNS Depressants

Drugs that enhance inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA, causing sedation and decreased CNS activity.

Common Drugs - CNS Depressants

Diazepam, lorazepam, phenobarbital.

Mechanism of Action - CNS Depressants

Enhance inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA.

Side Effects - CNS Depressants

Sedation, respiratory depression, hypotension, dependence.

Contraindications - CNS Depressants

Respiratory depression, sleep apnea.

Patient Education - CNS Depressants

Avoid alcohol, do not stop abruptly.

Muscle Relaxants

Drugs that reduce skeletal muscle spasm through CNS depression or spinal reflex inhibition.

Common Drugs - Muscle Relaxants

Baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine.

Side Effects - Muscle Relaxants

Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness.

Contraindications - Muscle Relaxants

Severe liver disease.

CNS Stimulants

Drugs that increase dopamine and norepinephrine in CNS, improving alertness.

Common Drugs - CNS Stimulants

Amphetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil.

Side Effects - CNS Stimulants

Insomnia, tachycardia, hypertension.

Antiepileptic Drugs

Medications that stabilize neuronal membranes and suppress abnormal electrical activity.

Common Drugs - Antiepileptics

Phenytoin, valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine.

Side Effects - Antiepileptics

Drowsiness, ataxia, rash, hepatotoxicity.

Antiparkinson Drugs

Drugs that increase dopamine activity in the brain.

Common Drugs - Antiparkinson

Levodopa/carbidopa, selegiline, pramipexole.

Side Effects - Antiparkinson Drugs

Dyskinesia, nausea, orthostatic hypotension.

Adrenergic Drugs

Drugs that stimulate sympathetic receptors producing fight-or-flight responses.

Common Drugs - Adrenergic Drugs

Epinephrine, dopamine, albuterol.

Side Effects - Adrenergic Drugs

Tachycardia, tremor, hypertension.

Cholinergic Drugs

Medications that stimulate parasympathetic nervous system receptors.

Common Drugs - Cholinergic Drugs

Bethanechol, pilocarpine.

Side Effects - Cholinergic Drugs

Salivation, sweating, bradycardia.

Anticholinergic Drugs

Drugs that block acetylcholine, reducing parasympathetic activity.

Common Drugs - Anticholinergic Drugs

Atropine, scopolamine, oxybutynin.

Side Effects - Anticholinergic Drugs

Dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia.

Pituitary Drugs

Medications that replace or modify pituitary hormone effects.

Common Drugs - Pituitary Drugs

Desmopressin, somatropin.

Thyroid Drugs

Medications that replace thyroid hormone or inhibit synthesis.

Common Drugs - Thyroid Drugs

Levothyroxine, methimazole.

Parathyroid Drugs

Drugs that regulate calcium metabolism.

Common Drugs - Parathyroid Drugs

Calcitonin, teriparatide.

Common Drugs - Antidiabetic Drugs

Insulin, metformin, glipizide.

Common Drugs - Contraceptives

Ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel.

Fertility Drugs

Drugs that stimulate ovulation.

Labor and Delivery Drugs

Medications that stimulate or inhibit uterine contractions.

Urogenital Drugs

Medications that improve urinary flow or erectile function.

Common Drugs - Urogenital Drugs

Tamsulosin, sildenafil.

Antihistamines

Drugs that block histamine receptors reducing allergic symptoms.

Common Drugs - Antihistamines

Diphenhydramine, loratadine.

Expectorants

Drugs that thin respiratory secretions for easier clearance.

Common Drugs - Expectorants

Guaifenesin.

Antitussives

Medications that suppress the cough reflex.

Common Drugs - Antitussives

Dextromethorphan, codeine.

Mucolytics

Drugs that break down mucus making it easier to clear.

Common Drugs - Mucolytics

Acetylcysteine.

Decongestants

Drugs that constrict nasal blood vessels, reducing congestion.

Common Drugs - Opioid Analgesics

Morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone.

Mechanism of Action - Opioid Analgesics

Bind opioid receptors altering pain perception.

Side Effects - Opioid Analgesics

Respiratory depression, sedation, constipation.

Acetaminophen

Analgesic that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in CNS.

Common Drugs - Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen.

NSAIDs

Medications that inhibit COX enzymes decreasing inflammation and pain.

Common Drugs - NSAIDs

Ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac.

Gout Drugs

Drugs that reduce uric acid levels or inflammation in joints.

Common Drugs - Gout Drugs

Allopurinol, colchicine.

Immunosuppressants

Drugs that suppress immune system activity.

Common Drugs - Immunosuppressants

Cyclosporine, tacrolimus.

Vaccines / Immunizing Agents

Agents that stimulate immune response to create immunity.

Common Drugs - Vaccines

MMR, influenza, hepatitis vaccines.

Antibiotics

Drugs that inhibit bacterial growth or destroy bacterial cells.

Common Drugs - Antibiotics

Penicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone.

Antivirals

Medications that inhibit viral replication.

Common Drugs - Antivirals

Acyclovir, oseltamivir.

Antitubercular Drugs

Drugs that kill or inhibit tuberculosis bacteria.

Common Drugs - Antitubercular Drugs

Isoniazid, rifampin.

Antimalarial Drugs

Drugs that destroy malaria parasites.

Common Drugs - Antimalarial Drugs

Chloroquine, artemether.

Antiprotozoal Drugs

Medications that disrupt protozoal DNA and metabolism.

Common Drugs - Antiprotozoal Drugs

Metronidazole.

Anthelmintic Drugs

Medications that kill parasitic worms.

Common Drugs - Anthelmintic Drugs

Albendazole, mebendazole.

Anemia Drugs

Medications that promote red blood cell production.

Common Drugs - Anemia Drugs

Iron, vitamin B12, folic acid.

Targeted Cancer Therapy

Drugs that target specific molecular pathways in cancer cells.

Common Drugs - Targeted Cancer Therapy

Imatinib, trastuzumab.

Chemotherapy

Medications that destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Common Drugs - Chemotherapy

Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate.

Fluids and Electrolytes

Drugs that restore fluid and electrolyte balance.

Common Drugs - Fluids and Electrolytes

Normal saline, potassium chloride.

Antacids

Medications that neutralize stomach acid.

Common Drugs - Antacids

Calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide.

H2 Blockers

Drugs that block histamine receptors reducing stomach acid.

Common Drugs - H2 Blockers

Famotidine, cimetidine.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Medications that inhibit gastric proton pump reducing acid secretion.

Common Drugs - Proton Pump Inhibitors

Omeprazole, pantoprazole.

Laxatives

Drugs that promote bowel movements through various mechanisms.

Common Drugs - Laxatives

Senna, lactulose, polyethylene glycol.

Antidiarrheals

Medications that slow intestinal motility or absorb toxins.

Common Drugs - Antidiarrheals

Loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate.

GI Protective Agents

Drugs that protect stomach lining from acid damage.

Common Drugs - GI Protective Agents

Sucralfate, misoprostol.

Antiemetics

Medications that block receptors responsible for nausea and vomiting.

Common Drugs - Antiemetics

Ondansetron, promethazine.

Ophthalmic Drugs

Drugs that lower intraocular pressure or treat eye conditions.

Common Drugs - Ophthalmic Drugs

Timolol, latanoprost.

Otic Drugs

Medications that treat infections and inflammation of the ear.

Common Drugs - Otic Drugs

Neomycin, hydrocortisone ear drops.